Improved list finding device



Dec. 27, 1938. E, PQLLQCK 2,141,761

IMPROVED LIST FINDING DEVICE Filed April 2, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR A|ber+ E. Pollock HIS A TORNEY Patented D... 27,1938

A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 2.141.161 nurxovsn ms-r rmnmc. nsvicr Albert E. Pollock, New York, N. Y. Application April 2, 193a, Serial No. 199,563 15 Claims. ((-104 The present invention relates to registers, and more particularly to an improved index register for pocket, desk, or wall use.

' An object of the invention is an improved indexregister which shall be simple in construction and efllcient in operation.

Another object is an improved arrangement of parts in an index register for selective choosing and exposing to view any desired card in the register.

A further object is an improved means in an index register for mounting a group of cards in association with a base and cover.

Various other objects and novel features of the construction and arrangement of parts will appear as the description of the invention progresses.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the improved register.

Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of the structure shown in Fig. l and illustrating'the cover and selected ones of the register cards in open or exposed position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1'.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view of one end of the base of the register and illustrating the means for pivotally mounting the cover for said base, this view being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional end elevation of a detail of construction taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the register 1fjorming the subject matter of the present invenion.

Fig. 8 is a section of a detail taken on the line 8-4 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 9--9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of the righthand portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3 and showing the cover in closed position relative to the base, and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 but with the cover shown in open position with respect to the base.

Essentially, the improved register forming the subject matter of my present invention comprises a base having a well formed therein, the .well being closed by a cover, and associated with the cover and ordinarily housed within the well of the base is a unit pile-up of cards forming a register. While the cover is pivotally mounted on the base, the cards are carried thereby and are of construction essentially arcuately mounted for substantial rotary independent movement on the cover, such movement, however, being independent of the movement of the cover with respect to the base.

Referring to the drawings, Ill designates the base supported on feet or similar elements I I, and formed integral with the base, and on the top thereof is a cavity or well designated generally by the reference numeral l2. The well I2 is preferably substantially rectangular as may be seen from inspection of Fig. 1, and one end thereof is open. The front end, however, as viewed in Fig. 1, terminates parallel to the end of the base l0,- but is spaced apart therefrom as indicated by the line l3 in Fig. l.

Adjacent the open end of the well 82 and in the bottom l4 thereof, is formed a transverse rabbet or gain IS in which is secured, as by screws ii, a plate i'I. At the ends of the plate-i1 are formed upstanding ears l8 carrying pivot members IS on which is pivotally mounted a cover 20.

The cover, designated by the reference numeral 20, has a contour similar to the contour of the well l2 so that when the cover 20 is in close association or in closed position relative to the base III, its outer surface and edges are contiguous with the surface and edges respectively of the base and well, and give a unitary appearance to the entire assembly. The cover 2il-at the pivot points I9 is provided with springs 2|, which tend to urge the cover 20 into open position with respect to the well I2, or into the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 11. At the front end of the cover 20 or at the end remote from the pivot l9, there is provided a latch 22 which cooperates with a locking device mounted in the base l0.

This locking device comprises an operating push button 23 with which is associated a substantially U-shaped spring 24 held in position by a plate 25 secured to the base In. The operating button 23 has formed thereon wedge or cam surfaces 26 so that as the operating button 23 is depressed from the position shown in Fig. 5, the free ends of the U-shaped spring 24 will be separated by riding up on the cam surfaces 26. This action separates the free ends and frees the same from the latch member 22, thus permitting the springs 2| to operate to rotate the cover 20 from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, for example, to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 11.

The open end of the base i0 is cut away, as indicated by the reference numeral 62, to form a housing for the end of the cover 20 when such cover is in open position as shown in Fig. 11.

Also the forward end of the cut away portion 62 the end of the plate IT, as clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 11, and as indicated by the reference numeral 63 in Fig. 10. This vertical face 83 acts as a stop for limiting the rearward or opening movement of the cover 28, as clearly shown in Fig. 11.

Formed in the cover 20, preferably longitudinally centrally thereof, though such location is not essential, is a slot or groove 28. This slot 28 forms a track for the depending member 29 secured to or formed integral with the selecting button 30. The card selecting button 30 is provided with lateral extensions 3| which act as pointers or indicators, and cooperate or are associated with designating characters on either side of the slot or track 28, as, for example, the alphabet shown in Fig. 1. In order to prevent marring of the top surface of the cover 28 by the movement of the pointers 3| thereover, I preferably provide the slot or track 28 with upper extensions 32 and on which extensions rides the under surface of the button 30, thereby maintaining the under surface of the pointers 3| out of direct engagement with the surface of the cover 28, as clearly shown in Fig. 9. A spring 6| secured to the depending portion 28 engages one side of the track 28 and holds the depending portion 29 against tilting movement.

Secured to the dependingportion 28 of the button 30, as by screw 33, 'is a plate 34 which extends transversely of the slot or track 28, and is provided'with lateral extensions 35. Such lateral extensions 35 extend substantially to the sides of the cover 20, and then depend downwardly, as indicated by the reference numeral 35, and thence extend inwardly, as indicated at 31, the object being to enclose or embrace a pileup of list cards. It is noted that the members 35, with the projections 36 and 31 associated therewith, embrace or surround the outer and parallel edges of a plurality of cards designated generally by the reference numeral 38. Formed integral with the extensions 35 are spring members 39, these members at their free ends being provided with projections 48 adapted to engage in depressions 4| formed in the material of the cover 20, there being a pair of depressions 4| for each of the pair of alphabetical characters, shown on either side of the track 28. The depressions 4| are so arranged relative to thealphabetical indications that as the button 38 is moved along the slot or track 28, it can be stopped at any designated point in association with the alphabetical characters and will be retained at such designated point by the engagement of the projections 48 on the spring members 39 engaging in the depressions 4 The cards, designated generally by the reference numeral 38, are shown in front elevation in Fig. 2, and by referring to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the cards are rounded edge double index cards, i. e. each card has a cut-away portion on each side thereof. By reference to Fig. 2, taken in connection with the other figures, it will be obvious that as the button 38 is moved along the track 28, the inwardly extending portions 31 carried by the lateral extensions 35 will, at any designated point, engage with a selected one of the cards 38, and that if, under such circumstances, the operating button 23 is depressed, the springs 2| will rotate the cover 20 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2, carrying therewith not only the card of the pile 38 with which the inward extensions 31 are in 2,141,761 lies in a vertical plane substantially flush with engagement, but also carrying therewith cards resting on such selected card while permitting the remainder of the cards of the pile-up 38 to rest in the well |2 of the base Ill.

The cards are each provided at their inner or rear ends with a plurality of aligned'slots 42, as shown in Fig. 4. The cards 38 are carried by a device comprising plates 43' and 44, arranged substantially at right angles to each other, and with arcuate teeth 45 formed integral with and at the outer free edge of the plate 44. Formed integral with the plate 44 and at the ends thereof, are upstanding lugs or ears 46, each provided with an outwardly extending projection 41. The projections 41 are in alignment with each other and engage in depressions 48 formed in the cover 28.- Formed integral with the plate 43, and at various points along the length thereof are arcuate members 49, the arcuate members 49 forming a track on which may ride the ends of the cards 38. To prevent accidental displacement of the members 43 and 44'? and therefore the cards 38, I provide the inner surface of the cover 20 adjacent to the top or free edge of the member -43, with a transverse bar 50. The various slots 42 in the cards 38 permit easy free movement of the cards 38 on the teeth 45 and the arcuate member 49 constrains the ends of the cards to move in a substantially arcuate path in the pivotal movement of the cover 28, from closed to open position and vice versa.

Assuming the device to have been constructed as above described, and that it is desired to select an index card 38, as for example, the card represented by the letter K, the button 30 is moved along the track 28 until the indicating points 3| carried thereby come into registry with the letters K, as shown in Fig. 1. The operating button 23 is then depressed to release the looking member 28 from the latch 22, whereupon the springs 2| rotate the cover 28 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 3. Simultaneously with the movement of the button 30, the inwardly extending members 31 carried by the lateral extensions 35 move therewith and into engagement with the card 38 corresponding to the letter K, as indicated in Fig. 1. Therefore, there will be carried by the cover 20 in its movement to the open position shown in Fig. 2, not only the card K but also all of the cards which lie above or rest upon said card K in the closed position of the cover. Only the card K with any data thereon will be exposed under the circumstances.

It will be noted that the arcuate members or teeth 45 terminate short of the plate 43, and thereby it is possible to easily and readily remove the cards from the holding device should it be desired to change the card or to type or otherwise apply information thereto. The projections 49 hold the plates 43 and 44 as well as the as sociated cards 38 in the position shown, for example, in Figs. 3, 10 and 11, but the entire assembly of cards 38 and members 43 and 44 may be readily withdrawn from the position shown and removed from the device.

Whereas I have described my invention by reference to specific forms thereof, it will be I ingly mounted on the cover and normally resting on the base, and means carried by the cover and selectively engageable with a sheet for swinging said selected sheet from the plurality of sheets resting on the base.

2. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a well formed in said base, a plurality of index sheets normally housed within the well and resting on the bottom thereof, a cover hingedly mounted on the base, means for swingingly moving the cover to open position with respect to the well, means for normally holding the cover in closed position and means carried by the cover for selectively engaging a predetermined one of the plurality of sheets to removably secure the same to the cover and for carrying the selected sheet with the cover from closed to open position.

3. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a well formed therein, a plurality of index sheets normally housed in said well and resting on the bottom thereof, a cover hingedly mounted on the base, a track formed in the cover, means for engaging the index sheets, and means movable in said track for operating the sheet engaging means to selectively engage a predetermined one of the index sheets.

4. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a well formed therein, a cover hingedly mounted on said base, and forming a closure for said well, a card holding device having an arcuate track formed therein removably secured to the cover, and a plurality of index cards individually mounted for movement in said track on said card holding device, and means for selectively engaging a predetermined one of "said cards carried by the cover and means exterior of the cover for operating said card engaging means.

5. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a well formed therein, a plurality of index cards normally housed within the well and resting on the bottom thereof, a cover hingedly mounted on the base, and normally forming a closure for the well, means carried by the cover for individually movably mounting the plurality of cards and constraining the ends thereof to move in an arcuate path, and a card selecting means carried by the cover for selectively engaging a predetermined one of the plurality of cards and temporarily attaching the same to the cover for movement of the cover from closed to open position.

6. In a device-of the kind described, the combination of a base, a cover hingedly mounted thereto, a plurality of index cards swingingly mounted on the cover, a card engaging means for selectively engaging any of the cards and on both edges of the cards simultaneously, means for removably holding the card engaging means in any desired position, and means exterior of the cover for operating the card engaging means.

7. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a cover hingedly mounted thereon, means for moving the base from closed to open position, a latch on said cover, a U- shaped spring, a plate for securing said'spring to the base, the free ends of the U-shaped spring normally in engagement with the latch, and a wedge shaped member for forcing the free ends of the U-shaped spring apart to release the same from engagement with the latch to permit the cover to be moved to open position.

8. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a cover hingedly mounted thereon, and a latch member for holding the cover releasably in closed position comprising a spring member for engaging a latch on the cover, and a wedge member having a portion thereof extending upwardly through the base.

9. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a well formed therein and on the upper face thereof, a cover hingedly mounted on the base, a plurality of index cards carried by the cover, means for constraining the ends of the cards adjacent the hinge mounting of the cover to move in an arcuate path, and means carried by the cover for selectively engaging a predetermined number of the plurality of index cards and depositing the remainder of the cards on the bottom of the well, and for carrying the retained cards with the cover on movement thereof from closed to open position.

10. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a cover hingedly mounted on the base, a recess member, a card holding device having a plurality of separate card holding elements arranged thereon and with the ends of the card holding elements spaced apart from the remainder of the device to thereby permit the ready insertion and removal of cards in the card holding device, and said card holding device removably located within the recess member, and having the space between the ends of the card holding elements and the remainder of the card holding device covered when the device is in the recess to therebyprevent accidental or unintentional removal of the cards.

11. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a. cover hingedly mounted thereon, a plurality of rounded tab index cards swingingly mounted on the cover, a card engaging means located on the inner face of the cover for selectively engaging any of the cards and on both edges of the cards simultaneously, means on the inner face of the cover and on the card engaging means for removably holding the card engaging means in any desired position and for facilitating the movement of the card engaging means to desired positionfand means attached to the card engaging means and extending through the cover to the exterior thereof for operating the card engaging means.

12. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a cover hingedly mounted thereon, a plurality of rounded tab index cards swingingly mounted on the cover and on the inner face thereof, a card engaging means located on the inner face of the cover for selectively engaging any of the cards and on both edges of the cards simultaneously, means attached to the card engaging means and extending through the cover to the exterior thereof for operating the same, cooperating means on the inner face of the cover and on the card engaging means for removably securing the card engaging means in any desired position on the cover and for facilitating the movement of the card engaging means to desired position, said cooperating means comprising means located adjacent one end of the card engaging means whereby the card engaging means is held against rotary movement.

13. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a well formed thereon, a plurality of index sheets normally housed in said well, a cover for said well hingedly mounted on the base, and means carried by the cover for engaging both edges of a selected sheet of the plu-- rality of sheets simultaneously and moving the same simultaneously with the movement of the cover.

14. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a, base, a cover mounted hingedly on the base, a plurality 01 index sheets attached to the covenandmeans carried by the cover for engaging both edges simultaneously of a selected sheet of the plurality of sheets and moving the same simultaneously with the movement of the,

cover.

15. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a base, a cover hingedly mounted on the base, a plurality 01' index cards swingingly mounted on the cover and on the inner face engagement with the opposite side of the track,

to thereby prevent locking movement thereof and of the parts attached thereto.

ALBERT E. POLLOCK. 

